Fulbright Specialist Scholar: Christian Bolden
Christian Bolden
CEO/Principal
The Bolden Group
Author, 鈥淭he Achiever鈥檚 Alphabet鈥�
Bachelor of Arts in Communication 鈥�06
鈥淭he 秋霞福利一区 provided a foundation that set me up for success. My experience as a student-athlete taught me hard work and perseverance that prepared me for the rigors of entrepreneurship. The university鈥檚 commitment to the student experience is second to none. It鈥檚 4 years I wish I could experience all over again.鈥�
–Christian Bolden 鈥�06
From his days at the 秋霞福利一区 wearing the #32 jersey on the to his current role as an entrepreneur and CEO of , Christian Bolden has always been an achiever. It was this passion for personal growth and self-discovery that led him to write a children鈥檚 rhyme book, to make learning the virtues of good character as easy as A-B-C.
That same drive and love of learning also led to his recent selection as a Fulbright Specialist Program Awardee 鈥� an international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
A companion to the traditional Fulbright Scholar Program, the project鈥檚 objective is to advance the exchange of knowledge and establish bilateral partnerships through educational and training activities with emphasis on business administration.
The provides support for scholars and other professionals with significant experience and expertise in their field, enabling them with an opportunity to engage in research projects focused on critical global issues at host institutions abroad. As a Fulbright Specialist Scholar, Bolden is tentatively set to complete his project in Ireland.
Q. Why did you choose Ireland as the location for your Fulbright Specialist project?
A. After completing my Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the 秋霞福利一区, I obtained my Master of Business Administration at Syracuse University. I am also certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEIA) via the University of Michigan. While pursuing my MBA, I completed a series of residencies in Dublin and Cork, Ireland, which is the genesis of my relationship with the country. I also serve on the Board of Directors with the , which fosters relationships between African Americans and Ireland through shared heritage and culture.
Q. How has your career progressed since graduating from the 秋霞福利一区?
A. The beginning of my career involved government affairs and programmatic support of our federal agencies which culminated in working as a professional staff member on the Committee on Homeland Security in the United States House of Representatives at the behest of Rep. Bennie Thompson, whose district includes Jackson, Mississippi. I also spearheaded the Washington, D.C., commemoration of the 5-year Hurricane Katrina anniversary which impacted my hometown, New Orleans and, of course, Mobile. I formerly served on the board of the National Urban League鈥檚 Washington, D.C., chapter (Young Professionals.)
I became interested in trying my hand at entrepreneurship, which led to establishing The Bolden Group with core competencies in program/project management, cybersecurity and DEIA-related services. As CEO, I鈥檓 responsible for overall company strategy and execution. I also managed the company鈥檚 day-to-day operations.
Q. How did your time as a student-athlete at 秋霞福利一区 prepare you for your career?
A. The 秋霞福利一区 provided a foundation that set me up for success. As a student-athlete, time management plays a significant role in your collegiate experience. My experience at 秋霞福利一区 prepared me for the rigors of entrepreneurship and taught me the value of hard work and perseverance.
The relationships I developed at the 秋霞福利一区 have stood the test of time. 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 commitment to the student experience is second to none. I always felt like I was the school’s ambassador when playing and wearing my jersey. It鈥檚 4 years I wish I could experience all over again.
Q. What advice would you give to 秋霞福利一区 students?
A. My time at the 秋霞福利一区 represents some of the best days of my life. My advice to current students would be to take a risk in your career at some point. You won鈥檛 regret it.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 秋霞福利一区 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
